Who Are the California 12?

“These are citizens of the state of California who were denied due process, who were not given fair trials, who have compelling cases of innocence, who are just like you and me, except they had the unfortunate circumstance of going to prison for something they didn’t commit.” – California Innocence Project Director Justin Brooks

In 2013, the California Innocence Project reviewed all of their cases and identified 12 that varied in convictions, sentencing, and series of events, but shared one common thread — overwhelming evidence of factual innocence and a legal dead-end to fight for their freedom. These are the “California 12.”

That same year, in 2013, three CIP attorneys embarked on a 712-mile walk from San Diego to Sacramento to raise awareness about the California 12 and wrongful convictions. At the end, they delivered clemency petitions to Governor Jerry Brown asking for the California 12’s freedom. Since then, Governor Brown has not acted on any of the calls for clemency.

Six of the California 12 have been released or exonerated as a result of CIP’s undying dedication to have them freed. Those who were released on parole are still fighting to clear their names, and struggle to reintegrate back into society with erroneous convictions still on their records. Six remain in prison. Almost all of them have hit the end of the road legally to fight their case.

Governor Brown is likely their only hope to stop the injustice they have suffered as he has the power to grant them clemency. He leaves office at the end of 2018.

These are the California 12 who need Governor Brown’s attention and mercy: